InstantDB may suit you better if…
- You want local-first, optimistic UI with almost no backend code
- Offline sync matters
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Da8a vs InstantDB
InstantDB is a realtime client-side database: write relational queries in the frontend and get optimistic updates and sync. Da8a is Postgres with supabase-js, RLS and Realtime on a server of your own.
| Topic | Da8a | InstantDB |
|---|---|---|
| Query model | SQL and supabase-js query builder | InstaQL relational queries from the client |
| Sync | Realtime change subscriptions | Optimistic updates, offline support, live queries |
| Permissions | Row Level Security in SQL | Permission rules in Instant |
| Where it runs | A dedicated server of your own | Instant’s cloud, or the open-source version |
| Pricing model | A flat price per server | Plan tiers |
This page describes general differences as of 2026, not every feature. Products change over time; check each provider’s own documentation for current details.
Da8a may suit you better if…
- You want full SQL and extensions like pgvector
- You want standard Postgres tools and backups
- You want your own server
Switching to Da8a
- Export namespaces into Postgres tables.
- Use supabase-js queries plus Realtime channels for live updates.
More detail in the migration docs and the quickstart.
Other comparisons
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